DeSantis Strikes Back: Florida Governor Unveils New Measures Targeting Disney's Privileges
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to reveal new measures aimed at Disney after the company attempted to undermine his oversight of its self-governance authority in the state. A senior administration source told The Post, "What they tried to do is an embarrassment. The narrative the left is spinning is that Gov. DeSantis was outmaneuvered. But this is far from over, and he's going to have the last laugh."
DeSantis plans to announce that the state Legislature will nullify Disney's controversial move to strip the governor's newly established oversight board of its authority. Officials have dubbed Disney's action an illegal "poison pill" designed to sabotage state supervision of its special tax district, and they claim that the secretive maneuver will be quickly reversed by the Legislature.
One source said, "They got used to doing whatever they wanted for far too long. Not this time." Another added that DeSantis is not afraid to take on Disney.
In addition to revoking other privileges Disney has held since its special tax district was created in 1967, the governor may subject the company to regulations that its transportation systems and rides have previously been exempt from.
DeSantis first locked horns with Disney, Florida's largest employer, over its opposition to a bill prohibiting the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3. Accusing Disney of promoting "Burbank" values in Florida, DeSantis targeted the company's 42-square-mile tax district by replacing the five members of Disney's self-governing Reedy Creek Improvement District with his own Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
However, prior to their departure, the Disney-controlled board passed covenants transferring developmental authority to the company and rendering the new board largely powerless.
Senior DeSantis administration officials argue that Disney intentionally minimized legally required public notices of the new agreement to avoid scrutiny and facilitate its passage. Taryn Fenske, DeSantis' communications chief, said, "Disney got caught red-handed attempting to undermine Florida's duly enacted legislation."
In response, Disney has insisted that it did not conceal the plan and that the changes complied with Florida's public meeting laws.